Article by
Emmanuel Joseph

Published on
April 27, 2018

Former work colleagues, ex-school mates and others who were positively impacted by the late veteran broadcaster and deejay Vic Buddy Boy Brewster, were afforded another opportunity this afternoon to pay their final respects to him.

Brewster, who died on the night of April 12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) after a lengthy illness, was fittingly remembered during a special religious service dominated by tributes in music, song and word at the Combermere School hall in Waterford, St Michael.

The event, organized by Brewster’s alumni – the Combermere Old Scholars Association – heard glowing tributes from former general manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Melba Smith, former CBC colleague, Mike Maycock, a member of the old scholars association, Junior Jordan and president of the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM), Emmanuel Joseph.

As the peaceful-looking body of the noted broadcaster and entertainment promoter lay in an open casket at the front of the stage, various students of the school paid homage to the “original” deejay in music and song.

During the service, friends and well-wishers filed past the coffin to take a final look at the man they admired or listened to over the years of sojourn in the media.
“The field of broadcasting has been made richer by Mr Brewster’s entry so many years ago, decades even. And now on his exit, his final farewell, it is being made much, much poorer as a result,” said Jordan, who wore a Combermere School tie.

Smith on the other hand described her former colleague as the consummate professional. “He was always prepared. He paid attention to the minutest of details. He was not flamboyant as a producer or director, but he was extremely meticulous. Whether he was directing a programme [or] training new broadcasters in radio or television, his work ethic was exemplary. He was dependable, reliable; was always at the studio or outside broadcasts on time,” recalled the former CBC boss.

Joseph, who also worked with Brewster, labelled him as a person with “heart,” who genuinely cared for the personal development of people.

“Vic Brewster gave me an opportunity in my early days as a singer songwriter to hone my skills… because when I recorded the song Still Have Jesus in the 1970s, he gave me the opportunity to go on television and lip sync to it. Since that time, that song has become a big song,” Joseph added.

Brewster will be laid to rest tomorrow following a church service at the St Matthias Anglican Church which begins at 10 a.m. (EJ)

Share this:

Related

Post navigation

1 thought on “Remembering Vic “Buddy Boy” Brewster”

Kenneth king

Vic Brewster I’ve known for many years and have given my first Television break during the 70st. I remember with Singing Francine, Wendy Alleyne and the children’s show which to this day I’ve heard is still shown around Xmas. I’ve performed for many years around the Hotel circuit especially the Island Inn where he was Mc….
Mr.Brewster was a very good human being who was always there for us and very professional, he took that everywhere he went. I’ve listened every Sunday to his classical side with a wide rage of the best music you can ever find, my deepest condolences to the family and friends and wish Buddy Boy a great journey to the other side…. may he R.I.P